Agriculture and Forest Environment

About Agriculture & Forest Environment

The health and vitality of our lands, waters, and communities support our way of life and economy in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment works to sustain, promote, and enhance Rhode Island's agricultural viability and preserve, manage, and promote healthy forests and community trees for today and for generations to come.

Online DAFE Application Portal

DEM's Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment offers an online portal for applications and forms, including agricultural product registrations, commercial pesticide applicators, animal health permits and licenses, and forestry applications. For more information, visit dem.ri.gov/dafe-portal

For help with the online system, please submit a question/feedback anytime.
For programmatic questions, call (401) 222-2781 (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4 PM).

Alternate Brand Name (ABN) Product Registrations

Online pesticide product renewals are available through November 30 via the DAFE application portal. When registering a new pesticide product, select the Alternate Brand Name (ABN) designation only if your product meets the program’s eligibility requirements. Incorrectly identifying a product as an ABN may affect the registration fee assessed. An ABN product is sold under a different brand name but shares the same EPA registration number as another product registered by the same company. When products qualify as legitimate alternate brands, only one registration fee is due per EPA registration number per company. If you’re unsure whether your product qualifies as an ABN, contact DEM at howard.cook@dem.ri.gov before submitting your registration.

Pesticide Applicator Licenses and Certificates

Beginning with the 2027 renewal period, DEM will enforce the established renewal deadlines and the 60-day grace periods for pesticide license and certificate holders. All licensed and certified private and commercial pesticide applicators must submit their renewal application by the statutory deadline. Please note that renewals become active 60 days before the deadline and are not available in the system until the renewal period starts.

We encourage pesticide license and certificate holders to plan ahead to complete their renewals in the DAFE Application Portal by the applicable deadline.

Private Certified Applicators: Renewal period expected to start November 1; Expires December 31; grace period ends March 1
Certified Commercial Applicators: Renewal period expected to start December 2; Expires January 31; grace period ends April 1
Licensed Commercial Applicators: Renewal period expected to start December 30; Expires February 28; grace period ends April 30
Pesticide Dealer’s License: Renewal period expected to start December 30; Expires February 28; grace period ends April 30

Applicators who do not submit a renewal application by the end of the 60-day grace period from their credential expiration date will lose their certification and must retake the certification exam to regain certification.